Golden-mouth. Homily 79. On the First Sunday after Pentecost, A Teaching of St. John Chrysostom in Commemoration of All Saints

Now that we have celebrated Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Ghost, not even seven days have passed, and behold—the honorable commemoration of all the saints is already upon us. For the Lord Himself said: “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am” (John 17:24). The Lord God has glorified His saints both in heaven and on earth—His apostles, prophets, and martyrs, hierarchs, monastics, and priest-martyrs; ascetics alongside virgins and righteous women.

In honoring their memory, let us strive to keep the commandments of God and do what is right, that the Lord God may also glorify us. The saints were people just like us, but they hated injustice and malice, and they counted the glory and riches of this world as nothing. They did not spare their own lives—and for this reason they now dwell in heaven with the angels, ageless and immortal.

Although the martyrs had mortal bodies, their souls dwell in glory with the angels—for the death of Christ greatly glorified them. Heaven is not more splendid with stars than the martyrs’ bodies are adorned with wounds. Who would not marvel at this? Those who were beaten overcame their tormentors; those who were bound set others free; those who were burned overcame those who kindled the flame.

The martyrs, though tied up and subjected to various tortures and torments, overcame their persecutors, having endured many afflictions. The prophets and apostles likewise suffered many trials, and many of the hierarchs endured various torments from the lawless. The wicked committed many evils against the saints: they led them away naked, tied their hands behind their backs and beat them. The executioners grew weary from torturing them, while those who endured the tortures gained victory over the devil.

The persecutors devised many evils against the saints: some were tied to trees, and their ribs were pierced; some were shot with arrows; others had their hands and feet cut off. Some had their tongues cut out, their eyes gouged out, their heads cut off with swords, and their teeth shattered. Others had their bellies ripped open, their ribs torn apart, and their chests hacked to pieces. The accursed torturers, never ceasing, raged like madmen.

Even after being taken down from the cross, they were stretched out on burning coals and iron grates, and from their bodies streams of blood flowed. Many were burned alive in fire. Yet the saints bore all these torments joyfully for the Lord’s sake, hoping for the reward of future blessings. If the Lord had not strengthened them, they could not have endured so many tortures.

Just as the rising sun sends forth many rays, so too were the bodies of the saints adorned with many wounds. Through their endurance they received crowns—not only men, but many women likewise endured sufferings and torments for the sake of Christ.

The monastics, walking the narrow path, lived either in deserts, or on mountains, or in the clefts of the earth. They suffered hunger, thirst, and nakedness, and were harassed by hordes of demons, and in this way they finished their lives.

The devil and his angels tremble greatly and are struck with fear when they remember the Lord’s Blood, on account of which the apostles, prophets, martyrs, and many other saints shed their own blood, and became heirs of the heavenly kingdom.

Therefore, O faithful, let us strive to honor the memory of all the saints through good works and imitate their virtuous deeds. They rejected this whole present life—let us at least abstain from temporary feasting and cursed drunkenness. They gave over their bodies to the fire—let us at least give from our possessions to the poor and needy. They trampled upon burning coals—let us, at least, drive away from our flesh its evil desires. They left behind everything—glory, wealth, and even their very lives—for the sake of the heavenly kingdom. Let us, at least, offer a tithe of our earnings to God, that the Lord may also be merciful to us on the Day of Judgment.

Let no one grieve over what is given away, but rather rejoice in the eternal blessings prepared by the Merciful One. Today, beloved faithful, let us come together and worthily keep the honorable feast of all the saints—maintaining peace and love among ourselves, casting off envy and wrath and every injustice and every evil deed.

The saints labored much and endured many sufferings and tribulations for the sake of the heavenly kingdom—let us do what God has commanded us, that we too may be saved.

Some of the saints were roasted on iron grates, others burned on coals, some boiled alive in cauldrons. Some were drowned in the sea, others stretched on wheels and torn with hooks. Some were stoned, others were thrown to wild beasts to be devoured. Some were hurled into deep pits and had their limbs crushed—many endured torments and sufferings beyond number, and thus became beloved of God, seeking eternal rest and joy.

Let us, then, O faithful, remain steadfast in righteousness, keeping the commandments of God, that we may inherit the kingdom of heaven together with all the saints in Christ Jesus our Lord. To Him be glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.